1130:CYPPRESS:01

Nicosia, Mar 24 (CNA) -- The 89 illegal immigrants who arrived in Cyprus
earlier this month from Lebanon are heading back to this country.

Interior Minister, Christodoulos Christodoulou told CNA here Wednesday
that the whole issue has been resolved following consultations with the
relevant authorities in Lebanon.

He said already the illegal immigrants, who were on board a cruise
liner in Larnaca after arriving in Cyprus on a small boat, are on their way
to Lebanon on the same cruiser.

Christodoulou said the issue was resolved within the framework of an
agreement between the two countries that provides for the return of illegal
passengers back to Lebanon if it is proved they left that country.

No incidents or reaction were reported during the immigrants'
departure this morning, the minister added.

The 89 immigrants came from Sierra Leone, Somalia Palestine, Egypt,
Syria and Iraq.

CNA MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1300:CYPPRESS:03

Limassol, Mar 24 (CNA) -- A district court today remanded in custody for
eight days a suspect in a case concerning the killing of Cyprus' chief game
warden yesterday in Limassol.

Police told the court that there is evidence that a person who matched
the description of Charalambos Panagi Spirou, 25, from Lapithos, arrested
yesterday, was seen on a bike outside the house of Savvas Savva, 52, head
of the Game and Fauna Service of the Interior Ministry,

The same person followed Savva as he drove his children to school and
then went on to Makarios Avenue, site of the scene where Savvas' car
exploded, fatally injuring him.

Police said there was also evidence that in two circumstances the
suspect is alleged to have approached unsuccessfully persons to obtain
explosive material.

In addition, the suspect was allegedly reported to have vowed to
avenge game wardens for the killing of his cousin, Marinos Spyrou last
year.

Police said they found evidence at the suspect's house which could
have been used in making the explosive device which killed Savva.
CNA SC/MK/EC/GP/1999

CNA EC/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1415:CYPPRESS:05

Nicosia, Mar 24 (CNA) -- The Cyprus government has expressed satisfaction
with a decision by Lebanon to take back 89 illegal immigrants, who had left
the country by boat and ended up on Cyprus' shores last Thursday.

The government described the decision as implementation of a bilateral
agreement on matters relating to illegal immigrants and practical
application of good neighbourly relations.

"Cyprus as well as the European Union are particularly sensitive to
the issue of illegal immigrants and the EU believes non-member states
should help safeguard its borders from illegal immigrants," Government
Spokesman Costas Serezis said here today.

A Foreign Ministry statement, which the spokesman read out at his
daily press briefing, said "the Foreign Ministry wishes to express its
satisfaction to the government of Lebanon for its decision to accept 89
illegal immigrants, who had left Tripoli, Lebanon heading for Cyprus."

The decision of the friendly Lebanese government, which has always
backed firmly the just cause of Cyprus, "is one more practical proof of the
close and friendly ties between the two countries," it said.

The people of Cyprus, the statement added, played host to many
Lebanese citizens during the crisis in Lebanon.

"The Foreign Ministry considers that the decision is not only actual
implementation of the agreement made by former Interior Minister Dinos
Michaelides during his visit to Lebanon but also practical application of
the principle of good neighbourliness, which the two countries have
traditionally enjoyed," the statement said.

It noted that the implementation of the agreement does not only deter
illegal immigrants from coming to Cyprus but prevents illegal immigrants
from gathering on Lebanese shores.

After their arrival, the 89 immigrants were taken on board a cruiser
and given humanitarian aid while consultations were taking place between
the two countries to sort out the problem.

The cruiser sailed this morning for Lebanon taking back the illegal
immigrants.

CNA MA/MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1420:CYPPRESS:06

Nicosia, Mar 24 (CNA) -- The Cyprus government was monitoring developments
in Yugoslavia and was in contact with the Republic's embassy in Belgrade,
Government Spokesman Costas Serezis said here today.

Commenting on the imminent NATO air strikes against Yugoslavia, he
said "the government is monitoring developments in Kosovo and does not
believe that air strikes will bring about a solution."

He said "Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides is in constant touch with
our ambassador to Belgrade, Takis Skarparis, who is in turn, in touch with
Cypriot nationals staying in Yugoslavia."